Many stories claimed the fairies dwelled inside raths (fairy forts) but almost anything and everything was associated with the supernatural: standing pillars, dolmens, the mysterious earthen burial mounds, that you see scattered over our landscapes. Even the solitary blackthorn bush. All had the reputation of being "gentle" places, fairy places, haunted by apparitions. The blackthorn, or fairy thorn, was especially sacred; not even dead branches should be removed. Interfere with any of those sacred places or objects, and you did so at your peril. Even in our technologically modern age, rumour has it that a fairy thorn in Ulster was chopped down to make way for the DeLorean car plant, an ill-fated venture if ever there was one.
In modern Ireland today, most of those places are designated National Monuments and, except in very rare irresponsible circumstances, are still treated with the greatest respect and reverence.
Not because of any lingering fears of the supernatural or fears of incurring the wrath of the fairy folk that were once thought to inhabit them, but in this more enlightened age, they are now recognised for what they are - burial places, monuments, and the remains of homesteads and fortifications of bygone civilisations. All now play a major role in our National Heritage.
The image above is of one of Ireland’s most famous forts. Dun Aengus is an impressive stone fort built on Inis Mor. It is a series of 3 semi circular stone walls of huge thickness and
height. These form protection on most of the circumference and on the remaining of its circumference is a sheer 300 ft cliff down to the Atlantic Ocean. It is a wonder on how and why this fort was built; one can only stare in awe at this great feat all those years ago.
To finish this section, here is a little anecdote that will illustrate the seriousness with which things supernatural are treated with in Ireland today:
“It is said that the vernal equinox, on March 20, is one of the dates during the year when creatures of the underworld roam the earth. Most gardai (police) would offer that any weekend after pub closing time is a good time for a sighting”.
More tomorrow………
